Quiet Night In...

Last night I had a good conversation with a friend of my Katrina. She has a little guy Aiden who is over 4 months now who she had a lot of trouble with in the first few long weeks. She told me about this book she had read and how it has really changed her life and made things easier.

The book is old and discusses many things, but the main being scheduling your baby and how to do it. It explains that sometimes you just have to let your baby cry.

Well, Kaylee was 6 weeks old yesterday and still getting up 2-3 times a night. I decided that after she woke up at 4:45am and was back down by 5:30- then decided to wake back up at 6:30, that I was just going to let her cry in her crib for a few minutes.

I layed in bed with the baby monitor, watching the clock and how many minutes it had been. 13 minutes into it she had gone back to sleep and slept until 8:30. Now I know letting your baby cry before a certain age is controversial, however she had eaten an hour before, been changed an hour before and burped. She was not in need of anything at that moment. Anyway, I found the theory worked. I may try it more often instead of running everytime she fusses.

On another note, when I did get up this morning, I could hardly move. That being said, I am really really trying to stick to this and therefore, I got up and I did my video and 15 minutes on the elliptical. I couldn't make it to 20. My legs are ready to fall off.

Today Kaylee has decided- the heck with naps! I am too old for that now! She maybe cat napped for about 10-15 minutes here or there but nothing more. This evening this has made for a cranky baby. I am crossing my fingers that after a bath and bottle that means she will sleep for a decent amount of hours. EVERYONE CROSS YOUR FINGERS! LOL.

Anyways, Jordon and I have struck a deal for the weekend. Tonight he has a work curling event that he really wanted to go to. Basically, this means a bunch of guys go out and drink far too many beers and have a good time. Its downtown Halifax and therefore Jordon needed a ride there and back to avoid a $40 cab ride. I decided to make a proposition. I told him I would drive him and pick him up- as well as not give him shit for leaving me alone with Kaylee at the end of the week IF tomorrow night I could do the same. The deal was made and therefore tomorrow night, Amanda, Adele and I are going out for a couple drinks and Jordon will take care of Kaylee for the evening as well as play driver for us. Oh I might add, he offered to get up with her through the night and in the morning for me.

Pretty good deal huh? I think he's pretty awesome!

Anyways, tonight it is just Kaylee and I... She is getting very irritable and I am trying to not get frustrated at the very long outbursts of crying. I am not sure why she has refused to sleep today.

I also went to put on 2 outfits today that she has never worn and guess what... Too small! Can you believe that! Man- she didn't even get to wear them! Oh well.

So here is a couple photos from the day. Enjoy! I will be sure to take a picture of the girls night out and the look on Jordon's face as I leave him for the evening. LOL

PussyCat Doll Workout whooped my butt!

Ohhhh those couple of glasses of red wine last night turned into a bottle and while I felt great last night, it did not feel so great this morning. I woke up almost agitated at life. Not upset, or mad- but agitated. Like I really wanted to stay curled up all day and avoid everything and everyone. That being said, we know it cannot happen! LOL.

Kaylee rose this morning around 6:15am. I tried everything I could to get her to go back to sleep in order to shake my pounding headache. To no avail. Anyways, I then decided maybe I could just keep her happy in bed with me. Since she likes noise I turned on the tv, pulled out her play mat and she was happy as can be. I dozed off for another 45 minutes! Yahoooo!

I eventually got up and carried on with my morning routine, although this morning I decided to try and bake.... Now anyone that knows me, knows I cook. I DO NOT bake.... I have tried, however it never works out. Kaylee was having her bottle in her swing and I pulled out the muffin tin, followed by the Pilsbury muffin in a tube I had in the fridge. Now come on, you didn't think I was actually going to bake them from scratch did you? LOL

22-26 minutes- perfect I say to myself. I take Kaylee downstairs, light a fire and put on Ellen. Kaylee starts dozing in and out. This is not to be confused with sleep as she opens her eyes to be sure I am there and will scream if not. Suddenly I smell that famous- its burning smell.

Man, straight out of a tube and I still cannot bake. Oh well I did try.

I folded some laundry while Kaylee slept, chit chatted with Amanda and after she left decided to get back on my elliptical. I did 20 minutes before my jello legs almost gave out from under me. Still feeling pretty good I decided to do 3 sets of 20 crunches. Wow I am on a roll. I am still at this point feeling motivated. Looking down at my flubby tummy and jello looking as well as feeling at this point legs, is enough motivation for anyone.

I decided I was going to pack up my little girl and head to walmart for a yoga mat and work out video.

Of course just as I had gotten dressed and ready to go, Kaylee woke up and had a tantrum. We battled it out for an hour before she finally gave into the bottle and settled down. I bundled her up and off we went. It is amazing what the car does. Wide awake but the motion still keeps her calm.

I got to walmart and popped her carseat into the basket- I love this feature of the carseat. Ohhhh, I also for the first time ever used the parking spot for "mother with child". That was very exciting (even if it is defeating my exercise mojo).

Ok, so there I am with a fussing baby and a wall full of yoga mats, yoga balls, yoga strecth bands. Man.. How does one choose. I finally decided on the kit which came with an information video, the ball, the mat, 2 weight balls, the stretch band and some foam block thingy. While I was there and feeling motivated, I also purchased 2 work out videos. The Pussycat Dolls Total work out video as well as a Pilates video.

Anyways, once I got home she was wide awake and I was only able to pump up my yoga ball. I put a McCain pizza in the oven for Jordon and I for supper. Once we finished supper I told him I was taking 40 minutes to do my Pilates video.

Well I completed the Pilates video. I was hardly able to stand up afterwards but I did it. I may not have had the same enthusiasm however!

***7:30pm nightly Kaylee routine inserted here***

For some strange reason I decided to put the Pussycat dolls one on AFTER this and see what it was about. I made it through the warm up before I pretty much collapsed. Man those girls even make working out look sexy! How do I do that and not look like a lump bouncing around my ping pong room. LOL. Anyways, if anyone has any great work out video suggestions let me know.

In other news, Kaylee had yet another very fun bath. She loves it! It seems to be one of her favorite times of day. Maybe thats why she does her usual routine- just to have a nice warm bath! So tonight she is wide eyed and looking at me like sleep is not anytime near. This scares me for the simple fact that I am dead on my feet. I am hoping that I am able to move tomorrow. The pilates video says you must do 3 days in a row, then take a day off and then do the next 3 days in a row ect...

Wish me luck, I am hoping to turn into a hot mama and not just a flabby mama!

Here's a pic from after our bath tonight!!!

Bath Time!

Well last night, once things had calmed down for the evening and Kaylee was having her evening bottle, she did what she seems to do each and every single night around 7:30. She did the Mega-barf!

I am not talking spit up or a grab the burp clothes clean up... I am talking barf in a way that makes you wonder how she possibly held that much in her belly. It truly boggles my mind as she is always burped and always seems to do just fine except this time of night. Is it possible that my little girls first routine is her barf time?

Regardless, the funny part of this story is Jordon.... Suddenly I hear "Jayyyyyyymie!!!!" and I come around the corner to see him holding her covered in barf unsure of what to do next! LOL.

Well we have been bathing Kaylee in the baby-tub that sits in the sink in my kitchen. Since she has been getting bigger and stronger, she tends to kick off the bottle and try and push herself up.

For this reason I decided that it may be time to try and bath this soaking wet baby in the big tub. I have one of those mesh things that you just place in the bottom of the tub and it holds their head above water. Well, this usual 5-10 minute affair in the tub turned into almost half an hour. She loved it. She was so happy to float around and kick in the water that I didn't want to take her out. Jordon held her head and let her float around the tub and she was in her glory. She coo'd and caw'd for the entire time. Not to mention she freaked out when I actually pulled her out of the tub.

She fell asleep around 10:30 last night.

*****40 minute pause in writing blog*****

It is currently 8:23 and Kaylee has just completed her nightly routine. *sigh*

Back to where I was, she slept until 1:50 to which I rolled over, and really, really, really didn't want to get out of bed. Then again at 5 and then was up for good at 6:30.

I am not going to lie. I tried to manipulate her in my bedroom with the curtains closed to thinking it was still dark and sleep time... Let me assure you this did not work. I proceeded with my usual routine (make bed, pour tea, warm bottle) and then went downstairs to light a fire. As she layed in her vibrating chair I tried to tackle a few of my chores- empty dishwasher, swiffer the floors, tidy kitchen and bathroom. My house is not spotless by any means but its tidy... If I don't keep it this way, I just may go all the way over the edge....

Anyways, as I go down and burp her my next thoughts are, what am I going to make for supper... This used to not take very long to decide and I used to take a lot of time preparing meals. Now my thoughts are- what is good left over? What is an easy clean up? What will fill me up?

Well end result was Sheppard's pie (which was delish by the way).

During the afternoon hours we had a visit from a friend of mine which I work with Christine. We chatted about babies, blogging (she also has a blog- http://www.christinenewhook.blogspot.com/) and what has been going on in our lives lately. It was great to socialize. To be honest with you, I have kind of wanted to turn into a hermit in the last 6 weeks. People want to come over and visit and I have wanted to shut everyone out. Feeling pitiful with all my hormones running wild, starting my first period and just having a lousy body image right now on top of shutting everyone out, is not a good idea. I know this in my head and for that reason I will admit that hanging out with Christine, if only for an hour or 2 was good for me.

Now you all know that while the Sheppard's pie may have been prepared this afternoon, as soon as it was put in the oven when Jordon got home from work and it was put on my plate, Kaylee started to scream. Is that some sort of unwritten rule? Babies know when your about to sit and try and rejuvenate and decide you are just not allowed?

Anyways, I rocked while Jordon ate and then we switched it up. I love the same old question that I get- "Why is she crying, whats wrong?". Really, if I knew what was wrong, would I help her and stop the crying? Sometimes babies just cry. It doesn't matter how many times this is repeated by how many people... Men just don't seem to understand. I know it is their "I want to fix everything" nature but man....

Anyways, I have tackled a couple glasses of wine this evening and am feeling pretty good. I know, I know... Its a week night. But hey- I don't work tomorrow. Plus I understand the consequences... This is why I drank a few glasses of wine from 3pm-7pm... I can sleep for the couple hours and hopefully by the time she opens those pretty green eyes, the red wine has left my system and I am not so cranky. LOL I can hear anyone reading this laughing now at my naiveness.

I have decided that I am going to start writing my blogs in the evening instead of during the day. This is for a couple reasons- first, I can write about the day I have just had instead fo the day before, also it is nice to sit and have this time in the evening while Jordon is watching her and not have to worry about her waking up or having to go get her bottle.

Anyways, here's a cute little video and some pictures. Enjoy!!!!

Bye Bye Baby Buldge

Well, it was brought to my attention that I have been writing more about my everyday life, then I have about Kaylee and our life with her. While this may be true, I am sure that my life includes her and while my everyday ramble may not solely be based on her, it would not be written if it were not for her.

That being said... Today is alllllll about her. I think I may have gotten ahead of myself by thinking that all of my problems were solved by formula. While yes it h as made things easier, we still have moments where I truly wonder what I am doing wrong and if I can do this.

Like the night before last, Kaylee was up every 2 hours last night. I thought those days were over I kept thinking over and over and over as I got up with her. Each time I would hear her in the monitor I dreaded having to get up and smile at her and try to calm her down. Instead I wanted to sleep, for hours and hours straight! Of course I did get up and of course when I saw her looking up at me I melted and picked her up to hold her. That being said, sometimes it is harder then others.

In the last week since bottle feeding, Kaylee has been rejecting my boob more and more. Last night when I attempted to breast feed her, she completely rejected it. I have decided I am going to move strictly to the bottle. It feels like a disappointment in some ways, but I also know I gave it my best shot, she was not getting what she needed from me (obviously) and she has gotten the antibodies from the first 4 weeks that they say babies need.

Some people may disagree with me and my choice but that is ok.

Today Kaylee and I woke up around 7:30. To be honest, I woke to the smell of her poop. She was not yet crying but I knew it was coming. By the time I had warmed up a bottle and come back, she was fussing. Oh man, the poop!!! What a stink.... Rotttttttttten! Anyway, we got up at this point.... I made my bed and put on the kettle as I do every morning. I thrive off of routine, and as any Mom knows... Babies do not have a routine. Making my bed and pouring my tea is the only sense of normal I have.

I am feeling a tad cranky today and I am sure it is a mix of the lack of sleep, as well as the fact that I have started my first period in a very very long time. Grrr, that is enough to make anyone cranky- right?

Around 1 o'clock this afternoon, Kaylee decided she was going to have a tantrum. I didn't have it in me to fight her on it. The car has become a nifty little tool. I know they say not to get into this habit, but whatever works is what I am going to do. Anyway, she doesn't always fall asleep but it does seem to calm her down and make her content. I drive around for 45 minutes before coming home. As soon as the car stopped, Kaylee began screaming once again. I pulled the stroller out and went for a walk around the block- twice..... It was brisk but she was bundled up and I walked quick enough to try and keep me warm. She was calmed down but not yet asleep when I came home. I gave her a bottle and she quickly dozed off. After my walk I was feeling motivated. I looked over at my Elliptical which I had placed in my living room about 2 weeks ago and I have done nothing but look at. I decided right then and there, that I was going to attempt to get on it. I put on the yoga pants and off I went.

I did 25 minutes and let me tell you.... I felt like I was about ready to roll over and die. My goal had been 30 minutes but I just could not make it. I was beat red in the face, panting like Toby on a hot day (my Boxer with the HUGE tongue) and I didn't know if I would be able to climb the stairs for a glass of water.

Well, I am here this evening to tell the story, so I have survived. It also motivated me to try and do this everyday. I will try and report the progress and if I get anymore in shape then I am (or am not)....

I have a video I am going to post today! She is just too darn cute and trying to poop. As you can tell, I cannot stop laughing!... I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Go Canada Go!!!!

Well I must start off by saying GO CANADA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



What an awesome game last night. Dad, Jordon, our neighbour Steve, Kaylee and I all watched it together last night. In the last 26seconds when the U.S. scored, I was sure my father was going to kill Jordon.

Jordon had just finished saying "We have Gold!" before the game was over. Dad believes this jinxed us. Regardless we won the men's hockey in overtime and it was awesome. The Canadian Flag Dad brought with him was signed by everyone present during the game and this is what it looks like now.
Yesterday was a busy day. We woke up and everyone was feeling good as it had been a quiet night, the night before. We went to Costco where Dad bought me an awesome new radio with the ipod docking station for my upstairs as I was using an old alarm clock for my radio. We picked up a few other things, then headed home.

At home Dad helped me with a bunch of unfinished projects around the house- closet door that wouldn't close, coat hook that had fallen out of the wall, broken wooden clock, broken door handle... :) These projects all got done before the game of course.

Once the game was over, Dad, Jordon and Steve had all had quite a few drinks. I fed Jordon and Dad and as they would not calm down, and I had a screaming very upset Kaylee- kicked them out!

Jordon drove around the block with Dad and Steve standing on the back bumper, holding onto the roof racks screaming yahoo while wrapped in a Canadian Flag. My god my father is such a kid sometimes. Thank goodness they didn't fall off and get hurt. After that, they went to Steve's to play. I was in desperate need of some quiet time as Kaylee was verrrry fussy.

I think we had a bad battle of gas.... The screaming went on for about 2 hours. I tried a warm bath, a warm bottle, the shh'ing that usually seems to work. It seems like she wasn't going to stop screaming until she cried herself to sleep. This finally happened around 10:30.... Just as a couple of loud, drunken boys crawled in my door. I dare not call them men because at this point they were far too silly to be called that.

I gave the boys hell and made a promise that if they woke her up that I would beat them silly. I sent them off to bed in order to avoid anymore trouble.
Kaylee did not sleep too well last night. I am not sure if it was the fantastic sleep the night before or gas still bothering her. She woke at about 2:30 and then again at 4:30 and was up for good around 7:30. I feel pooped today but also sad.

I just dropped Poppa Bear off at the airport and it seems our visit was far too short. He only arrived a few days ago and he is already gone. I guess I should be happy he was able to visit at all, but instead I am cranky that my family lives so far away- or as Dad would say- I live so far from them.

Regardless, it was a great visit. I was very happy to see him and I know Kaylee had fun with Poppa Bear- although she will never remember it.

I am sure he will never let her forget, she watched her first Gold metal game on his lap and he gave her, her very first flag!
To finish off todays blog, here is a picture of Kaylee and my Dad. She is wearing her adorable little Irish outfit given to her by a friend of my fathers. Too cute!!! :)

Delayed...

Wow, talk about take it easy and relax. That is what yesterday consisted of. I think everyone- including Kaylee needed a pajama's day where we did not do too much.

Jordon and Dad helped Amanda finish moving the rest of her things from the old apartment into her place next door and then came home to veg. We put on the Olympics and lounged around for most of the evening.

We ordered a pizza and I swear Kaylee smelled it and got angry when she couldn't have any. She was happy as a clam and once the pizza arrived, the nose started to go and she threw a tantrum... I am sure that little girl smelled pizza and wanted some!

I snuck off to bed with Kaylee around 8:30, leaving the boys downstairs and by 10:30 Kaylee was sound asleep.

Here is the exciting part! 7 HOURS!!!!!!!!!! 7 HOURS OF SLEEEP!!!!!! Thats right! She slept until 5:30! By 6:30 she was back to bed and slept until 8am. Wow! I felt like a new woman! Incredible. I woke up happy and content! Life is good.

Tomorrow My Dad is leaving and I am pretty bummed out. The weekend is just not enough.

My post today was delayed as I am running a temp version of Windows 7 (which I love) but which has also expired.

A friend of mine David has given me another trial in order to use this for another 30 days! The PC was with him for the day and therefore I am slow getting to my blog.

Not too much exciting happened yesterday and therefore I will write more tomorrow!

Sleep never looked so good!

Ok, so yesterdays blog had a little mistake! It wasn't the gold metal game last night, that is being played Sunday- because WE WON LAST NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was a great game to watch and we had an awesome time with all of our neighbours! What I thought would be a quiet night at home turned into a party that lasted until 3am. OMG! Yes I am exhausted.

Kaylee was hanging out with us enjoying everyones company and dozed off around 9pm... We were loud with curling on at the time and the guitar being played. I decided I would put her in her crib where it was nice and quiet. I placed her in and snuck back downstairs with he baby monitor. Not five minutes later she was screaming crying. I brought her back downstairs and it seemed as soon as she heard the noise she was back to sleep. I left her in her little vibrating chair (which by the way is amazing!) for the next few hours

Earlier in the afternoon I had decided I was going to have a beer, and A beer turned into about 5 beer. I was feeling lovely, cooked supper and decided that the smart thing to do would be to stop drinking as it would be no fun feeling like poop in the middle of the night with a little one screaming. This of course was before everyone came over.

Once everyone was there I sipped on 1 beer for about 2 hours. I really had no interest in being hung over with a baby but with a beer in my hand it appeared I was drinking. I played bar tender pouring shots of Porn Stars and Polar Bears for everyone, never once having on- AND never having anyone notice I wasn't having any.

Now its a great crowd we hang out with and I must say my Dad did well keeping up. Actually, he was the last one standing. I snuck off at around 1:00am and decided I better get some sleep. Of course when I crawled in bed Kaylee woke up and decided it was play time. Up she remained until 3am. I was soooooo tired and only wanted to sleep, but at that point she had been an angel all night and I couldn't complain.

Jordon crawled into bed around 3am while I was laying with her trying to con her into a sleep. Everyone at this point was clearing out and Dad helped me, as I left Kaylee with Jordon for the next half hour and I cleaned up.

There is nothing worse then waking up the day after a party and seeing the huge mess. Dad did an awesome job and stayed up when I went off to bed to watch a little more of the Olympics.

Kaylee slept from 3am-6:30... Let me assure you, 3 1/2 hours is just not enough sleep.

I got up and changed her, fed her, rocked her and crossed my fingers she would doze back off. Sure enough by 7:45 she had. I crawled back in bed and 5 minutes later on the monitor she was crying.

Ok, so picture this- me, who feels like they did a great job of being a sleep deprived new mom and hostessed the whole night before, woke up with baby and just wanted another hour of sleep- looks over at SNORING Jordon....

That was it, he got up with her. I needed to close my eyes. It was great. He took her downstairs and I slept until 9:30. Yaaa!

I made a huge hang-over breakfast for Jordon, Dad and Amanda who all claimed they were not feeling bad, bu who all had a couple Tylenol and dragged their feet.

All the rain we had in the last couple days has melted the snow. I think I am going to gear up and take the dogs for a walk with Kaylee in the stroller.

Until tomorrow!!! :)